Following my plans to take on more challenging trips and experiences this year, I said yes to an invitation to go Kart Racing in Manila! We spent the day with two young racing champs from the City Kart Racing Team PRO who are fulfilling their dreams in this sport. This is a new go kart venue in town and I think it's a great activity if you want to tone your body, practice your mad driving skills and bond with yourself and your friends =) Coming from an adventure in Laguna or the South? This is the perfect icing and stopover before you head back to Metro Manila! The newly opened StarKarting is located at Starmall Alabang - just 30 minutes away from EDSA. Affordable go karting rates await you there hehe. This is an INDOOR karting facility so you can come here rain or shine (and without the sunburn too)!!! I'm giving away a go-karting experience for 2 at the end of this post *Winks!
First impressions - I was mighty glad that going there was easy from EDSA. The parking fee was cheap for a mall at P15 or P20. This Starmall has a swimming pool resort theme park and a big sports center. We found the open-aired indoor go-kart facility on the 3rd floor (visible from the parking, entrance is inside the mall).
There we met these kids and they were going to teach us for this day. Tai Zulberti, left, is 11 while Carlos Lorenzo, right, is 15 and these guys are part of the City Kart Racing Team PRO - professionals at such a young age and competing already!
I would normally just go for it without thought - like Bump Cars (easy haha) but Carlos took us around the track as they would when you are racing or going to a go-kart school. OMG, I really zoned out and you're supposed to have a strategy going in pala haha like the optimal position is this then you should already turn here. Ahhh info overload. The only thing I caught was - blue and yellow means slow down and let the one at the back pass because he's trying to overtake you while the checkered black and white flag means that the race is finished.
I took everything in as a suggestion and didn't beat myself too much for not being an attentive student. The guys I was with seemed to understand him though (maybe that's why they all raced past me haha).
My skills will soon be put to the test haha.
The first team were all geared up! The track can accommodate around 9 people at a time only.
The kuyas were there to check the gears, the seats and the engines.
You'll be lined up like this and all the adrenalin-pumping action will soon start.
Before you know it, you're off to your own world and running around in circles (and trying your best to avoid the tires haha).
Even gals can have a go!
It's my turn!
You might want to wear this protective mask (not included in package, buy elsewhere) under the helmet (but you can still drive without it). They have packages for P100, P200 and P300 (so cheap right?!).
That was one of the longest 5 minutes of my life! I didn't even care about the competition because I was busy not hitting anything hahaha. It was also a workout from head to toe!
Let's see how the pros do it! They look so cute and better protected with their go-karting suits!
It was fun watching them race each other - pro style haha. I was also looking at how they were doing it so smoothly when it comes to the turns!
You know this guy Tai is only 11. He dreams of one day joining the ranks of Formula One.
It's just so inspiring that they are still both in school and are fulfilling their dreams in their teens!
For our own little race, these guys were the ones ahead of the game!
This guy ranked 2nd overall after overtaking me!!! (Ch**ter! Ahahaha) His best time was 27.95 seconds while mine was 31.7 seconds and I ranked 10th for the qualifying! Ang lapit diba?!
Well, I learned my lesson haha.
ZOoooOM!
Serious mode ON! hahaha.
One thing I noticed was I was present to the whole experience while driving. There are no distractions - just me, my kart and the race track. Time is slow and you feel every turn and bump. Both the ride and finally making the goal was such an awesome experience =) Wouldn't you want to experience every little thing in your life like this?
Won't you give it a try? =) Here's a giveaway if you do:
Details:
3rd Level, Sports Center, Starmall Alabang,
South Super Highway, Alabang, Muntinlupa City
0905-4117444 / 0920-6665444
Star Karting Facebook
starkarting@ymail.com / sharon@citykartracing.com
Tell me below: Are you a go-kart virgin or can you beat these guys?! Haha. Who would you bring to go StarKarting with you?
starkarting@ymail.com / sharon@citykartracing.com
Tell me below: Are you a go-kart virgin or can you beat these guys?! Haha. Who would you bring to go StarKarting with you?